How to Prune a Cathedral Cactus

Not really a cactus but a succulent euphorbia native to southwest Africa, cathedral cactus (Euphorbia trigona) has a number of common names, including good luck plant and African milk tree. It is commonly cultivated worldwide as a container plant or outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10a to 11. Plants grow 6 feet tall. Cultivars include a red-stemmed form (Euphorbia trigona "Rubra") and a crested form (Euphorbia trigona "Crested"). Like other succulent euphorbias, cathedral cactus has poisonous milky sap.

Things You'll Need

Container

Water

Sharp knife

Pruning shears

Rubbing alcohol

Waterproof gloves

Safety glasses

Long-sleeved shirt

Newspaper

Kitchen tongs

Preparations

Find a container deep enough to hold the length of knife blade you'll be using. Fill it with water.

Clean the knife blade and the pruning shears with rubbing alcohol to sterilize them so that you don't introduce plant pathogens as you prune the plant.

Put on waterproof gloves, a long-sleeved shirt and safety glasses to protect your skin and eyes from the irritating sap.

Cover the work surface with newspapers.

Pruning

Use the knife to remove stems on the outside of the plant. Grasp the top of the stem with kitchen tongs. Gently press against the three-angled stem to cut through the outer skin. Take about a 6- to 8-piece section if you intend to root the cutting. Remove the stem back to the main branch if you are pruning to shape the cathedral cactus or to keep it to size.

Dip the end of the cutting in water to wash away the sap, and lay it on the newspaper.